The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Major disciplined for viewing texts
IA report: failed to ‘display the proper attitude and demeanor’
MIDDLETOWN — A State Police investigation into accusations that a major viewed and scrolled through a subordinate trooper’s cellphone texts about his superior resulted in a split finding, but included that the major failed to “display the proper attitude and demeanor” of an employee of the agency.
The internal investigation involving Maj. Arthur Goodale was conducted by the Emergency Services and Public Protection Division of the state police Bureau of Professional Standards and Compliance.
The text messages were alleged to have been between two officers assigned to Troop K, “and the content of said messages may not have been supportive of the Major,” the IA report said.
Several officers testified the cellphone incident occurred when Goodale was taking a break at the Westbrook barracks lunchroom on Feb. 14, 2018, along with troopers Thomas Kelo and Kenneth Kramer, Lt. Rafael Medina, Detective David Southworth and Sgt. Joshua Woodward, according to the report.
Kelo, who was sitting next to Goodale at the table, received a text message from Trooper Brian Contenta on his personal cellphone regarding Goodale, according to the report.
The two had been texting about the major, “giving their opinion on a use of force decision the
major had made as well as a few more personal comments” described as “disparaging,” the affidavit said.
Goodale looked at Kelo’s phone and “appeared to be swiping or scrolling through the phone as he held it,” then placed it on the table, the report said.
Goodale asked if the text was from Trooper Brian Contenta, to which Kelo replied “that was me,” meaning he had sent the last text, according to the report.
Upon questioning, Goodale told investigating officers “he never manipulated a phone to gain access to any information, and that it was over embellished,” the report said.
According to the investigation, Goodale told IA officers he saw his name on the phone’s screen because it was between 12 and 18 inches away. Goodale saw a text saying “Major Goodale is an opinionated ...” the report said.
He told officers he thought a joke was being played on him, so he picked it up and tilted it toward him for less than 10 seconds, the report said.
When Kelo sat back down at the table, Goodale told investigators, he asked him “did you write
“Major Goodale twice picked up the personal cellphone of a subordinate and viewed its contents without permission. Both Trooper Kelo and Lt. Medina both indicate that Major Goodale also scrolled through the phone in addition to picking it up. Major Goodale denies scrolling through the phone at all,” according to the investigation.
this about me?”
Kelo replied only: “I own it,” according to the report.
A week prior to the phone incident, Kelo was told by Medina he would be the new Andover resident trooper, the report said, which would have placed him in the Eastern District, where Goodale was commanding officer.
After lunch Feb. 14, Goodale and Medina spoke about Kelo filling the job. “After their conversation, it was mutually agreed that Tpr. Kelo would not be accepted for the Andover position,” the report said.
By then, Kelo told Medina he no longer wanted the job, according to the affidavit.
The report found the violation labeled as “disciplinary offenses” (failure to display the proper attitude and demeanor of an employee of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection) was sustained.
The report lists “discipline,” but does not say what that would entail.
The report notes the justification was “this investigation has proven, beyond a preponderance of evidence that Major Goodale failed to display the proper attitude and demeanor of an employee of the Department of Emergency and Public Protection.
“Major Goodale twice picked up the personal cell phone of a subordinate and viewed its contents without permission. Both Trooper Kelo and Lt. Medina both indicate that Major Goodale also scrolled through the phone in addition to picking it up. Major Goodale denies scrolling through the phone at all,” according to the investigation.
The probe determined the violation labeled as “disciplinary offenses” (commission of an intentional act of deception during any criminal, civil or administrative investigation or proceeding, or on and official department form report or system including (a) lying by either omission or commission; (b) misleading; (c) civil or criminal fraud; and/or (d) perjury) was not sustained.
“This investigator is unable to beyond a preponderance of evidence that Major Goodale was deceptive during his conversation with Lt. Medina,” the internal affairs report said.
Goodale was promoted from captain to commanding officer of the state police Eastern District headquarters in Colchester in September 2017.
In June 2014, Goodale became the commanding officer at Troop F in Westbrook.
He is a 30-year veteran of the force, beginning as a Colchester police officer in July 1989, and comes from a family of public servants.
Over the years, he has earned three medals for lifesaving, one for meritorious service, one for outstanding service and six unit citation awards, as well as a Merit Award from the Hartford Police Department, among others.
He earned his bachelor of science in business administration and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy.